Tennessee Titan football standout Shaun Smith is giving away free haircuts to men (18 and older) on June 25, to help inspire kids to read over the summer by making free books available through local elementary schools and other charitable organizations.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 22, 2012

Shaun Smith, stalwart defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans, wants kids to kick off their summer vacations with a fresh book in their hands. It’s part of a new summer reading initiative the NFL star is kicking off to inspire summer reading by making free books available through local elementary schools and other charitable organizations.

Smith, owner of Studio 3030, a popular barbershop and hair styling salon in Dallas, Texas, will be offering free haircuts to men (18 and older) on Monday, June 25.

“Well, they’re not exactly free haircuts,” says Smith, who was signed as a free agent with the Titans in 2011. “We’re asking that anybody coming in for a free haircut donate at least one book, which will be given to a local school, library or charitable organization. And we’re not forgetting about girls, either. Young ladies 12 and up will receive discount certificates for a styling, which can be redeemed at a later date.”

Smith, who is also the founder of the “91 Ways” Foundation, created to enrich and empower the lives of at-risk youth, while instilling moral values, emotional stability and academic excellence, believes that having sound reading skills is imperative among today’s youth.

“Nurturing a love of reading as early as possible in a child’s life is huge,” said the highly regarded defense end. “The sad truth is, the US ranks 21st among developed countries in literacy, while an estimated 32 million Americans have low reading skills. I can’t think of a more worthwhile cause then getting our kids excited about reading, and we want to make sure they have free access to as many books as they want.”

An African-American Studies major at South Carolina, where he once recorded 20 tackles in a single game, Smith doesn’t believe his summer reading program is asking too much of today’s youth.

“All we’re asking is that kids read at least one book over their summer vacation, and that’s it.” he said. “Of course, my hope is that once a kid reads one book and finds it exciting and entertaining… he or she will want to read another… and another. And before you know it, you’ve got a kid who loves reading.”

Known for his run-stopping ability on the football field, Smith continues to leverage his visibility as a professional football player to give back to the community. As the son of a high school teacher and police officer, my parents taught me the importance of reading, education, discipline and doing everything I could to ‘give back’ to the community. It’s a privilege to be in a position to help kids.”

Smith has hosted a number of events to raise awareness and money for his many community causes and charity endeavors, including celebrity bowling tournaments, holiday food drives, teaching yoga classes, and now offering free haircuts to help put summer reading on the front burner.

For more information about getting a free haircut at Smith’s Studio 3030, call (281)594-7441.